Parents and boys aged 7 to 10 are welcome to sign up for this taster day. See what being a chorister is all about - try on a robe, practise some singing, have a tour of the cathedral, meet some of the choristers and even sing a mini service at the end of the day. There will be a tour and information session for parents at the same time. 

Be a Chorister for a Day | Coventry Cathedral

• Date: Saturday 5th July 2025
• Location: Coventry Cathedral, Priory St, Coventry, CV1 5AB
• Contact: If you’re interested in an audition or finding out more about the choir, please do get in touch at rachel.mahon@coventrycathedral.org.uk

Schedule for the day

• 1:00pm – arrival
• 1:10pm – introduction from Rachel Mahon, Director of Music
• 1:15pm – tour of the Cathedral for children / talk for parents
• 1:45pm – organ demonstration
• 2:00pm – singing in the song school / tea and coffee break for parents
• 2:30pm – snack and break for children / tour of Cathedral for parents
• 2:40pm – robe fitting for children
• 3pm – procession rehearsal
• 3:15pm – singing rehearsal / parents to listen
• 3:45pm – break
• 4:00pm – service
• 4:30pm – end

About the choir

The choir was founded in 1962 when the new cathedral was built and consecrated. The Cathedral’s Choirs take part in regular concert performances including recent and upcoming performances of Requiems by Faure and Durufle, Britten’s War Requiem (Darmstadt 2025), Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols and Handel’s Messiah. The choirs have met and sung for members of the Royal Family on a number of occasions, including most recently for King Charles III in May 2021. There are many benefits to joining the choir – new friends, a free, world-class music education, choir pay, singing services and at special events in amazing places, choir tours, broadcasts, recordings and social events too.

Weekly schedule

During term time

• Tuesday: rehearsal 4:20-5:30pm
• Wednesday: rehearsal then Evensong 4:20-6:05pm
• Saturday: rehearsal 9:00-10:20am
• Sundays: boys alternate between singing in the morning and afternoon
  • Eucharist 9:00am-12noon
  • Evensong 2:45-5:00pm

How to join the choir

We accept applications at any time of the year. Boys aged 7-10 may audition. This will involve aural tests and a prepared song of the candidate’s choice. The atmosphere is friendly and designed to get the best out of your child. If the audition is successful the chorister will join the choir as a Probationer for six months to a year. If at the end of this period the candidate has made good progress and has passed the Probationer Test with at least 80% attendance (on time) to choir events, then full membership is awarded.

If you’re interested in an audition or finding out more about the choir, please do get in touch at rachel.mahon@coventrycathedral.org.uk